Everything's Bigger in Texas: A look at Texas myths

2013-02-04T21:00:49Z2014-10-07T18:02:49Z

As someone who is relatively new to Texas (I've only lived here for about two years now), I am continuously amazed by the amount of pride that Texans have for their state. After all, there are few other states in the Union whose residents would actually tattoo their home state on their body.

‘Outsiders' (you know, those folks, like me, who weren't lucky enough to be born in this state) have an interesting view of the Lone Star State. Take my fiancée, originally from Virginia. She was amazed (and quite disappointed) by the lack of cowboy hats and the fact that no one seems to ride horses to work. None of this was derogatory in any way towards Texas. In fact, she says she was really looking forward to living in the "Wild West.

But that got me to thinking. What are other stereotypes and myths about Texas that are floating around out there? I turned to the internet to see what people were saying about Texas and found some interesting things. Here are three of my favorites.

- Zoos in Texas have two plaques for each animal: one gives the name of the animal and where it comes from. The other shows the best way to cook and eat it. This is humorous to me, especially as a Tennessean, a state that passed a bill legalizing its residents to eat road kill.

- You can become a Texan by moving here and getting a drivers license. If only it were that easy. Becoming a Texan is so much more about culture than it is about getting a drivers license. You have to know how to use "y'all" properly, use "ma'am" and "sir" regularly and raise an index finger to people driving down the road in a small town. And that's just the beginning.

- All Texans drive trucks, wear boots and kill snakes in their backyard to eat for dinner. Yes, Texans love their trucks. Need proof? Well, have you ever seen a Chevrolet Silverado New Jersey Edition? Me either, but if it existed, it would only come in one color – ‘Spray Tan.' And cowboy boots are both stylish and versatile. But I've only eaten snake once – and that was in Tennessee.

and of course:

- Everything is bigger in Texas. This is one of those stereotypes that may actually be true. From the belt buckles to their football stadiums, Texans love everything to be bigger and better. And they succeed.

Keep in mind that, in the end, all of these are just stereotypes. It is impossible to characterize the residents of any state with one broad generalization. Take into account that Texas is a huge, culturally diverse state and it becomes even harder to apply a stereotype. From the Piney Woods in East Texas to the Hill Country of Central Texas to the Gulf Coast and Panhandle Plains, this is a unique part of the country.

I'm proud to live here and call Texas my home. Maybe, one day, I'll even be allowed to call myself a Texan.